Methods and apparatus for in situ formation of surgical implants

Abstract

Methods, devices and systems for in situ formation of an implant within a post-surgical cavity. A balloon is provided within the cavity and a gelling initiator such as a cross-linking agent is introduced into the balloon. A polymer susceptible to solidifying in the presence of the gelling initiator is then introduced into the balloon. The introduced polymer is allowed solidify through contact with the introduced gelling initiator to form the implant while the balloon isolates the solidifying implant from the cavity. The balloon is then ruptured and extracted from the cavity such that the formed implant remains within and directly contacts an interior surface of the cavity.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A delivery system, comprising:
 a first source of polymer:   a second source, separate from the first source, of a gelling initiator that is configured to gel the polymer, and   a catheter configured to deliver the polymer and the gelling initiator to a cavity within the patient such that the delivered polymer and gelling initiator are initially isolated from the cavity and only selectively exposed to the cavity after the polymer has at least partially gelled.   
     
     
         28 . The delivery system of  claim 27 , wherein the catheter comprises a balloon configured to isolate the delivered polymer and gelling initiator from the cavity. 
     
     
         29 . The delivery system of  claim 28 , wherein the balloon comprises a porous interior surface configured to contain at least a portion of the gelling initiator. 
     
     
         30 . The delivery system of  claim 29 , wherein the porous interior surface is configured to release the contained gelling initiator at least when the introduced polymer applies pressure there against. 
     
     
         31 . The delivery system of  claim 27 , wherein the polymer comprises alginate. 
     
     
         32 . The delivery system of  claim 27 , wherein the gelling initiator comprises divalent cations. 
     
     
         33 . The delivery system of  claim 27 , wherein the gelling initiator comprises a cross-linking agent. 
     
     
         34 . The delivery system of  claim 27 , wherein the catheter is configured to deliver the polymer and the gelling initiator separately to the cavity and to isolate the delivered polymer and gelling initiator from the cavity until the polymer has at least partially gelled. 
     
     
         35 . The delivery system of  claim 28 , wherein the balloon comprises locally weaker portions. 
     
     
         36 . The delivery system of  claim 28 , further comprising a marker configured to be delivered within the balloon within the cavity. 
     
     
         37 . A method of forming a surgical implant, comprising:
 providing a first source of polymer;   providing a second source, separate from the first source, of a gelling initiator that is configured to gel the polymer, and   delivering the polymer and the gelling initiator within a cavity within the patient such that the delivered polymer and gelling initiator are initially isolated from the cavity and only selectively exposed to the cavity after the polymer has at least partially gelled.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein delivering comprises providing a balloon within the cavity, and wherein the method further comprises delivering at least the gelling initiator within an interior space of the balloon that is isolated from the cavity. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein providing the balloon is carried out with the balloon comprising a porous interior surface configured to contain at least a portion of the gelling initiator. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein providing the balloon is carried out with the porous interior surface being configured to release the contained gelling initiator at least When the introduced polymer applies pressure there against. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the polymer comprises alginate. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the gelling initiator comprises divalent cations. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the gelling initiator includes a cross-linking agent. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein delivering comprises delivering the polymer and the gelling initiator separately to the cavity and isolating the delivered polymer and the gelling initiator from the cavity until the polymer has at least partially gelled. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the balloon includes locally weaker portions. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising delivering a marker within the balloon within the cavity.